1st race tomorrow!

[Siawa]

Got my first race tomorrow afternoon! It's a 5k and although I have been building my distance up (can run over 8k now) it's still a little harrowing since all my runs are on flat land, whereas this will have plenty of slopes. Stoked and freaked out at the same time!

[newrunner56 Graduate]

Good luck with the 5k - they are great fun. I've done a couple of charity runs, and loved getting a 'medal' at the end!

I'm use to running on my own, and found being with others very different - the first time I set off much too fast, so pace yourself. The other thing was that it was very noisy which I hadn't expected, and I couldn't hear Laura, so next time I turned the volume up. But I was reassured - I didn't know where I would fit in, and was surprised to find people of all shapes, sizes, abilities, so was pleasantly surprised to find I was above average!

And if you can do 8k, then 5k will be fine. Let us know how you get on.

[Irishprincess Graduate]

How exciting! Don't go off too fast, keep breathing and just enjoy it! Is there bling?

[Curlygurly2 Graduate]

5K races are fun, no pressure at all. No need even to run it all if the hills are scary, but you might find you get carried away with the excitement of the day. Don't forget to tell us all about it after! Best of luck, you can do it x

[Irish-John Graduate]

They are FUN! Just remember to not start too fast when everyone enthusiastically surges ahead Also - those Gazelles passing oyu out in the earlier stages will be the walkers you trot past in the later ones Slow and steady at your own pace and you will have a GREAT race

[Dunder2004 Graduate]

You'll be just fine, I am sure of it.

Hills and slopes do present a challenge in terms of stamina but you will have built up more of that than you realise over the last few months. You are not going out to break any world records so just settle in to your own pace, pace it easy on the slopes and enjoy the experience.

[willmarksni]

So how did it go? Did you enjoy it?

[Siawa Graduate in reply to willmarksni]

Absolutely; was doing well for the first 10 minutes, but then asthma kicked in and had to slow down. Definitely was an experience though!

[willmarksni in reply to Siawa]

Nice one. My first target after c25k is to finish one. Congratulations!

[Siawa Graduate in reply to willmarksni]

Thank you! Good luck with the program!